Whether you're looking for a refreshing lunch or a dish to bring to a potluck, this strawberry arugula salad is for you. This recipe is easy-to-make, quick, and most importantly, tastes delicious.
This strawberry arugula is one of those simple salads that I keep coming back to. It takes a few minutes to make, doesn't require any fancy dressings or a blender.
Just simple, high-quality, fresh ingredients. It goes well as a side or on its own. Either pair is as a side salad to a delicious entree or enjoy it on its own.
Fresh arugula is tossed with juicy sweet strawberries. The thinly sliced red onions add a little crunch and more flavor while the avocado gives it creaminess.
The toasted walnuts add crispiness and the balsamic vinaigrette just brings it all together. It's delicious every single time!
Ingredients you'll need
This salad is loaded with fresh seasonal produce. You'll need the following ingredients:
Arugula: Be sure to rinse and dry the arugula well. While I don't normally use single-use gadgets anymore, a salad spinner is one I keep handy. This allows me to quickly rinse and dry my fresh greens!
Strawberries: Peak season for strawberries is April through June so this is a great time to get the freshest and juiciest strawberries! Since strawberries are at the top of EWG's Dirty Dozen list, be sure to rinse your strawberries well.
Red onion: Thinly sliced. Pro tip - when using raw red onions. soak them in water first. This removes that aftertaste while still preserving the onion's flavor.
Walnuts: Either use raw walnuts or take a few minutes to toast them on the skillet at medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. This will keep them crispy and enhance the flavor of the entire salad.
Avocado: To add creaminess and flavor.
Balsamic vinaigrette: See the recipe here on how to make this quick, easy, and super delicious dressing.
How to make a strawberry arugula salad
1. Rinse the greens: If you don't have a salad spinner, be sure to pat the greens down with a towel. Removing the excess water will help the dressing stick to the greens.
2. Prepare remaining ingredients: Rinse, dry, and slice the strawberries. Thinly slice the red onions. Toast the walnuts if you'd like (or just use raw walnuts).
3. Prepare the dressing: Meanwhile, make a batch of the balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
4. Prepare salad: When everything is ready, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, including the arugula, strawberries, red onion, and walnuts. Finally, drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette. Toss and serve.
Substitutions and variations
What I love about this salad is how customizable it is based on dietary preferences, personal taste, and what you've got hanging out in the kitchen. Here are some ways to make this your own:
- Use a variety of fresh greens: To make this a strawberry spinach salad, replace the arugula with fresh spinach. Spring greens or massage kale also tastes great!
- Use another dressing: such as a lemon vinaigrette instead of a balsamic vinaigrette for a tangy lemon flavor.
- Add a grain: such as quinoa, to make the flavor.
- Add another fruit: If you're running low on strawberries, mix it up with blueberries or peaches.
- Toast the walnuts: This will not only enhance the flavor your the salad but also improve the texture of the walnuts so they stay crisp in the salad. To toast, just warm them up in a skillet for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
- Add a protein to make it a meal: Whether it's chickpeas or another source of protein, adding protein will make the salad more filling.
More vegetarian salad recipes
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Italian Potato Salad
- Tomato Heirloom Salad
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Citrus Avocado Salad
I hope you love this strawberry arugula salad recipe as much as I do! Sign up for email updates to receive new recipes delivered to your inbox or check out my new cookbook Plant Power Bowls.
Editor's note: This post was originally published on October 24, 2016. Since then, it's been updated with new photos and a rewritten post. Slight changes were made to the recipe.
Ingredients
Salad
- 3-4 cups arugula
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- pinch of garlic powder
- sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Combine the arugula, strawberry, avocado, red onion, walnuts in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing.
- Adjust seasoning, if needed. Serve immediately.
jackie ayers says
as a vegetarian this was one of the best salads i've ever made (and i've tried a ton of them). tysm for the inspo and for the meatless recipes 🙂
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad to hear, Jackie! Thanks for sharing.
Anne Weekly says
This is one of the BEST salads I have ever had!!! All of my kids LOVED IT! I added chick peas and bulgar and made it a full dinner...... it was AWESOME! thank you
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So glad to hear, Anne! Thank you!
Sylvie says
Adding fruits is such a fun way to make a more original salad! I don't think I have ever tried a salad with strawberries but it sounds so delicious - I need to try it asap!
Sapana Chandra says
Yes! I think you'd love it, Sylvie!
Suzy says
There is nothing better than a tasty salad! I love all of the flavors going on in this one!
Sapana Chandra says
So glad to hear, Suzy!
cheflolaskitchen says
Love all the vibrant colors! Awesome!
Sapana Chandra says
Thank you!
Sara Welch says
I know what I will be having for lunch today! This is everything a gourmet salad should be and then some!
Sapana Chandra says
Ah thank you, Sara!
Alison says
I have arugula and strawberries in my refrigerator that I need to use pronto. This salad looks perfect.
Sapana Chandra says
Yes! I hope you enjoyed it, Alison!
David says
I can see how the peppery arugula and sweetness of the strawberry would be great together! Pinning...
Sapana Chandra says
Thank you!
Cookilicious says
I have pinned this as well.. I am definitely going to try this salad recipe next week!
Sapana Chandra says
Thank you! I hope you love it!
Paula Montenegro says
OMG, I love everything about this salad! The combo of arugula with strawberries and avocado is a winner!
Sapana Chandra says
Thanks so much, Paula - so happy you love it! 🙂
Alisha Rodrigues says
That bowl has so much color.. It makes healthy food look so tempting. If this was my dinner bowl, I'd enjoy it every single day
Sapana Chandra says
I love how fresh produce adds so much color to simple meals. Thanks for stopping by, Alisha!
Michele Peterson says
What a brilliant idea to toast the walnuts. This is a beautiful and delicious salad excellent for company. PS Glad to see you also love your salad spinner - I'm not alone in thinking it's super handy!
Sapana Chandra says
Thanks so much, Michele! I’m happy you loved the recipe. And yes to those salad spinners. 🙂
Sarah says
Arugula salads are one of my favorite things ever! I love adding them to pizza 😀 I love that you added walnuts to this-- so tasty!!
Sapana Chandra says
Thanks so much, Sarah, so glad you love it! Arugula is the best - I love adding it to my pizza as well!. 🙂